Archive for November, 2011

Call for Papers: Graduate Centre for Europe, University of Birmingham Sixth Annual Conference

Collapsing Europe?

26-28 March 2012

The borders that delimit our political, cultural and historical understanding of Europe are subject to constant renegotiation. Within this perpetual state of flux, the symbol of collapse has been extremely prominent in literature, politics, culture and history. Whether the dismantling of physical and figurative barriers in the name of integration, or apocalyptic predictions of the imminent failure of the “European project”, the idea of collapse features prominently in modern notions of the continent’s past, present and future.

The Sixth Annual Conference of the Graduate Centre for Europe will encourage postgraduate researchers to offer their own reflections on European collapse. It will explore the concept of upheaval through time and space and consider how Europe’s shifting fortunes have been, and remain, a function of both its own idiosyncrasies and of changes imposed upon it by its relationship with the outside world.

This conference invites contributions from postgraduate researchers in a variety of disciplines with the express aim of learning from other academic approaches and sharing their own. The conference theme will encourage the exchange of ideas about topics we often consider to be embedded in our own research contexts. Previous conferences have included presenters from the fields of history, politics, cultures, languages, literature, media, society, music, business, philosophy, theology, geography, environment and law.

If you would like to speak at the conference, please send an abstract of 200-300 words to gcfe.gham@googlemail.com by 13 January 2012.

The first run of the Graduate School of Global Politics of Free University Berlin and its Chinese partner Renmin University of China cordially invites young researchers/PhD candidates to present their research during the first GSGP Workshop titled:

China and Europe in 21st Century Global Politics: Partnership, Competition or Co-Evolution?

The GSGP Workshop will take place on 5-6 March 2012 at the School of International Studies of Renmin University of China in Beijing.

Contributions related to the following thematic panels are most welcome:
1) High Politics and Diplomacy
2) Socio-Economic Transition
3) Energy and Environmental Issues
4) The Role of Culture

The working language of the GSGP Workshop is English.

Please send your paper proposal of not more than 400 words, together with a brief CV, to xinlei.li@fu-berlin.de by no later than Friday 9 December 2011.

The organisers will confirm your participation by Monday 19 December 2011.

The final paper should not exceed 6,000 words (excluding bibliography). An electronic version of the paper is due by Friday 17 February 2012.

EU’s unknown Asia: New Horizons and New Beginnings

The Call for Papers is now open for the EUSA Asia Pacific Conference to be held in Singapore from on 4 and 5 June 2012.

The deadline for submission of abstracts is 24 February 2012. Please submit abstracts online at the EUSA Asia Pacific website

Conference Themes:

Visions of the Other – While politicians are claiming Asia as a new priority, commentators are claiming that the EU is still undervaluing Asia. What is the state of EU-Asia Relations? How do these two regions view each other and how has this impacted in the visibility of the EU in the region? How do current events such as Fukushima and the Eurozone crisis impact on the Asia EU relationship?

Models of Integration – What comparisons can be drawn between different modules of regionalism an integration as expressed in these two regions? What lessons can be learnt from the other and how can different forms of regionalism work together?

The Way Forward – What will be the challenges that these regions face in their on-going relationship building? What models and innovations for future cooperation are there? What role do FTAs play in these relationships?

EU and Asia in World Affairs - How do regions work together on the international stage? What roles do the EU and Asia have in multilateralism and global governance? How have recent international events such as the Arab Spring and International Financial Crisis impacted how the EU and Asia interact?

Call for Visiting Fellowship and Scholarship Applications April 2012 – April 2013

Applications close: 1 February 2012

The ANU Centre for European Studies Centre (ANUCES) is a joint initiative of the Australian National University (ANU) and the European Union. It underscores the university-wide commitment to European studies. Located at the heart of diplomatic and political life in Canberra, ANUCES now involves the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, ANU College of Law, ANU College of Business and Economics, and ANU College of Asia and the Pacific.

ANUCES aims to promote interdisciplinary dialogue, generate collaborative research projects at home and abroad, and contribute to the development of public sector policy and debate. The Centre has an established record of leadership in EU studies within the context of the wider Asia-Pacific region. The Centre supports postdoctoral and doctoral research, and visiting scholars working in the field of EU and comparative studies concerning Australia and Europe.

The Visiting Fellowship Program at the Centre for European Studies at the ANU is part of the Centre’s mission to promote research, education and dialogue between Europe and Australia. The Visiting Fellowship Program is specifically aimed at supporting and hosting local and international scholars wishing to undertake research at the ANU.

The broad theme for 2012-13 is ‘The European Union, Australia and the Asia-Pacific Region’. Within this theme, several research interests can be pursued that take a comparative perspective involving Europe, Australia and countries in the Asia-Pacific region, such as:

• Regionalism and regional economic integration

• Defence and security

• Climate change and energy security

• Culture, language and history

• Public policy and governance

• People movement across borders

For further information on the fellowships and scholarships, as well as how to apply for them, see the website.